PCB to shortlist candidates for batting coach position this week

Karachi, Nov. 5 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) committee will shortlist candidates for the batting coach position this week, according to an official.

The PCB had advertised for the vacancy last month, setting November 4 as the deadline for prospective candidates to send in applications, reports The Express Tribune.

"The committee will assemble this week to shortlist candidates. It will try to finalise a batting coach before the team's training camp for the India tour gets underway," said the official, adding that about two-dozen candidates, including contenders from Australia, South Africa, England, as well as locals have applied for the post.

Legendary batsman Zaheer Abbas, who resigned from the committee to apply for the position, is the apparent leading candidate. Other national cricketers who have applied for the job are Salim Malik and Asif Mujtaba.

The criteria set down by the PCB for eligible candidates include a Level-3 coaching course certificate. They also need to have "working experience of five years in a similar cricketing role with elite cricketers".

However, the official said the committee is ready to overlook a few shortcomings to pave way for a former Pakistan batting legend to become coach.

Former Test greats including Hanif Mohammad and former PCB chairman Ijaz Butt have backed local candidates, tipping Abbas as the best man for the position. (ANI)